Michelle Bachmann is gathering a mob today to try to intimidate members of Congress in hopes of derailing the health care reform bill. Is it a coincidence that she scheduled this protest on Guy Fawkes Day?
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) appeared on the Glenn Beck radio show today to promote her big protest event tomorrow — in which she will bring “freedom fighters” directly into the halls of Congress to pressure members to vote against the Democrats’ health care bill.
“This is really the 11th hour, when we’re calling people to come to D.C. It’s not inevitable that Speaker Pelosi’s health care government takeover is going to pass,” said Bachmann. “And that’s why the number one thing people can do is actually come, see their member of Congress, look at them in the eyes — especially with other freedom fighters in tow — and let them know that the lessons of August they should not forget, at their peril.”
Wacky Michelle said she would personally lead tea parties to Senator Blanche Lincoln’s office. I’m sure Lincoln will find some other place to be, but her poor, poor staffers. As you expect, the paranoia is rampant:
A few moments ago Fox News host Andrew Napolitano told Bachmann that “a friend in the American intelligence community” suggested to him that Nancy Pelosi might mount some sort of Capitol Hill security clampdown to stop the Tea Party event. (The idea apparently is that Pelosi would instruct Capitol security to become so onerous that, in essence, no one would be able to get into the building. Note to Tea Partiers: The Capitol building is not a 2nd Amendment zone.)
Not surprisingly Bachmann rose to the bait, telling Napolitano that it would be a “big mistake” for Pelosi to use her power to sabotage the Tea Party.
The Republican party is not discouraging the protest and some are even praising the event:
Rep. Steve King (R-IA) took to the House floor last night to promote Rep. Michele Bachmann’s (R-MN) march on Capitol Hill tomorrow (And inside the hallways, as well!) against the Democrats’ health care proposals. And King compared the Americans For Prosperity buses that will be bringing people to the protest to none other than that famous patriot of the American Revolution, Paul Revere.
I love how the teabaggers have such a humble perspective. Anyway, I think this event is likely to backfire. It’s not quite the same thing as an angry citizen trying to talk to their member of Congress at a public meeting. This is an angry group trying to come into their offices. I guess it will depend on how sympathetically the media portrays the protestors. The fun starts at noon today.